The Campbell University ROTC Ranger Challenge team placed third in the 2007 Ranger Challenge Competition. Fourth Brigade, Eastern Region ROTC hosted the event at Fort Pickett, Va. This included all the ROTC battalions from N.C. and Va.”We are extremely proud of the performance of these Cadets who represented the Campbell ROTC Battalion as the Ranger Challenge Team,” said Steven Ziebarth, senior military science instructor. “These Cadets endured a rigorous try-out process designed to see who will have the stamina to compete in and complete the competition. College students who are participating in ROTC already have a lot on their plate, so to sacrifice the additional time during the week which is required to train for this competition shows a deep commitment to excellence. It was awesome to see the pride in these young men and women’s eyes as they attacked each event and slowly began to gain confidence to compete with schools that are ten times as large as Campbell.”There were ten events, each equally weighted for scoring: Army Physical Fitness test, Timed Obstacle Course, Written Land Navigation exam, Day Land Navigation, Night Land Navigation, Rifle Marksmanship, Hand-Grenade Assault Course, Commander’s Event (team building exercise), Tactical Medical Evacuation Event and the 10 KM foot march with weapons and 35 lb. rucksacks.”The Cadets were exhausted but thrilled with their excellent finish and the overall experience,”said Ltc. James Loffert, professor of Military Science atCampbell University.The Campbell team took first place in the written land navigation competition, first place in the night land navigation competition, third place in the Army Physical Fitness Test and third place in the 10 K foot march. The cadet team captain was Cadet Stephen Crachi, a Campbell University Business Administration major, and the cadre coach was Master Sergeant Ziebarth.Photo Copy: left to right on front row — Cadet Luis Robles (junior — CU @ Liberty), Master Sergeant Stephen Ziebarth (CU Cadre – coach), Cadet Eric Prange (sophomore — CU), Cadet Todd Sackewitz (sophomore — MU) left to right on middle row — Cadet Angela Horne (junior — UNC-P), Cadet Sarah Keil (sophomore — MU), Cadet Antonio Ureste (junior — CU @ Liberty), Cadet Travis Dunn (freshman — CU), Cadet Alexander Smith (sophomore — MU) Left to right on back row — Cadet Aaron Lax (junior — CU), Cadet Stephen Crachi (senior — CU — team captain)
Campbell University Ranger Challenge team places in competition